Actually the cheap chinese ones are currently meeting my needs. Less than ten dollars each on sale in a plastic case with acessories. More torque than my old dremels by far as well. The additional torque is useful as the cardinal rule is to never load these high speed brush type ac motors down. Unless you like the magic smoke.

I like cordless tools but the batteries will die after awhile. The cheapies do what needs done for me. Light hobby duties should not wear it out very quickly either as the chinese ones I got seem built for a little heavier service.

I have had three dremel tools and wont ever buy another. I think they are overated and not as good as some of the other tools of similar size. I now have a rotary tool (a Rhino?) like the Dremel but a little bigger in diameter. It is super for sanding and cutting with the cut-off wheels including the diamond disks.
For the small Carbide cutters and burrs, I use a pneumatic tool that looks like a thick pencil. It's about 6" long x 5/8" dia. The air hose connects at the top end and the exhaust is also at the top end. It has lots of torque for its size and spins at 58000 rpm. Best of all, it always remains cool in your hand and if it stalls, it can't be damaged or "burnt out". It runs on 90 psi air pressure and can get into places the dremel cant. The air hose is about 6 feet long and is the same dia. as the air brush hose. It's very light and easy to use. It's my most favored tool to use, second to my lathe

[. It runs on 90 psi air pressure and can get into places the dremel cant. The air hose is about 6 feet long and is the same dia. as the air brush hose. It's very light and easy to use. It's my most favored tool to use, second to my lathe

My vote is for the good old corded model. That would currently be the current model 300 for a cheaper option or the 4000 if this is to be your multi year baby.

My own model 350 has been serving me for well over 20 years now. I bought a set of brushes at the time and have not had any need to install them. Although I have to admit the bearings are starting to sound like they are looking for some tag team buddies to take over. But if I open the unit up and find a way to stick a drop of oil in them likely they'll run for another 10 years.

My super air tool has no brand name on it or any info on air requirements. I bought it from a "tender center" here in Rockhampton. It was brand new in its carry case. An educated guestimate for air consumption would be about 6 cubic feet of air per minute as a minimum requirement. It's the best tool ever.

I have never had a problem with Dremel rotary tools. They are designed for light use and that's what I give them.

I wouldn't buy a model that didn't have speed control. Mine has a thumb wheel that takes the rpm from almost zero to whatever. For my use the tools with low and high settingl don't have nearly the flexibility of one with a good speed control. I only use the dremels on models and don't deal well with a cord, so I recommend a cordless unless you plan to use it in a fixed position only, such as a drill press. You can break a lot of delicate things with a cord.

I have an ancient corded dremel. No speed control. If it died tomorrow, I'd get one with speed control, corded. Probably cheap chinese clone as I only use it for light duty. I can't imagine buying a battery powered one.

For heavier duty, I have a 3" pneumatic grinder that works well. Joe's air tool sounds similar though I'm picturing it as smaller than mine. Mine works on 90 psi @ 4.5 CFM. Unfortunately, it runs my compressor pretty much continuously so I use it with a 50' hose (and keep the compressor farther away...).

I have a Dremel MultiPro Variable Speed, Model 395 (corded), that, used in conjuction with a nice assortment of bits and sanders, does a great job of handling all my shop needs. I use this with the Dremel portable Drill Press. The other Dremel tool I use ALL the time is one of the old Moto Shop saws, Model 57-2; have used these three Dremel offering for many years on lots of modeling and craft items. No problems to speak of.

My Dremel tool is more then 25 years old and going strong. It has variable speed and is corded. No doubt there is better rotary tools out there, however I've had good luck with mine and certainly would buy another if mine ever died.

I have an air compressor, but would hate to have to turn this on and pump up pressure just to use a rotary tool.

My corded Dremel is also over 25 years old. I found a foot speed control for a sewing machine in a garage sale so it is now variable speed. It uses the old fashioned colets due to the high speed. I have 2 battery Dremels, both 2 speed with nicad batteries (not the new lipo), and about 8 years old. I use the 3 jaw chuck on them because the RPM's are lower and I like being able to change bits quickly. The freedom from the cord is worth its weight in gold. Just my 2c worth.